The 2003 All-Standard Democrat softball team

Sunday, June 1, 2003

ABOUT THIS TEAM: The 2003 All-Standard Democrat Softball Team is a collection of the best softball players in the Standard Democrat coverage area. Players were selected by position, based on their performance in the spring season. Teams in our coverage area include Oran, Chaffee, New Madrid County Central, Portageville, Scott City, Bell City, Charleston, East Prairie, Delta, Richland, Dexter and Scott County Central. Photos were taken by Lance Hanlin.

1B KRISTIN SCHAEFER

Schaefer provided much-needed leadership for the Lady Rams this year, pacing Scott City's offense with a .393 average. She also led the team in RBIs and committed just one defensive error in 14 games. She was the only Scott City senior that stuck with the team after the post-prom suspension.

2B LAURA CARTER

New Madrid County Central's Laura Carter had a breakthrough season in 2003. She led all second basemen in our coverage area with a .386 average, and also provided 15 RBIs, six steals and scored 16 runs for the undefeated Lady Eagles. Only a sophomore, things look very bright in her future.

SS TORI ST. CIN

Oran, Soph.

St. Cin was Oran's most prolific player this season, both in the field and at the plate. She batted .463 with five triples and 22 RBIs, leading the Lady Eagles to a 9-5 record. At short, she had a strong arm and golden glove. Oran should be in good shape for the next two years with St. Cin in the lineup.

3B ABBY WALTER

Walter was the driving force behind Chaffee's 10-3 team this season, both on the mound and at third base. She batted .462, driving in 17 RBIs and scoring 19 runs. Her slugging percentage was .813 and her fielding percentage on the hot corner was a solid .923. It was a fitting end to her excellent softball career.

C MEGAN RINEHART

With the graduation of Morgan Hodges last year, NMCC was desperate to find somebody that could catch for Heather Robey. Luckily, Rinehart transferred in from Portageville, and the Lady Eagles didn't miss a beat. Along with her outstanding defense, Rinehart led the offense, batting .543 with three homers and 22 RBIs.

RF BRITTNEY GREER

Greer was the best all-around player on Dexter's team this year, leading the Lady Bearcats to a 8-7 record. She was a quality offensive player, batting .370. But she was most important to Dexter as a left fielder. With Greer and teammates Carrie DeArman and Mindy Jones all returning, Dexter will be solid next season.

CF REBECCA COOK

Cook didn't play much outfield this season, but she was too good to leave off our All-SD team. She was arguably the best player on Delta's 11-2 squad, filling in at catcher, third base, short, center field and pitcher. She batted .462 with two doubles, three triples and one homer. She signed a letter on intent to play for Three Rivers.

LF SUMMER HOLDINESS

Holdiness was East Prairie's top offensive player this spring, batting .477 with four doubles, one triple and 11 RBIs. She also scored 19 runs, leading the Lady Eagles to a 10-6 record. Holdiness' best attribute was her ability to produce in big games. She might be the toughest player East Prairie has to replace next season.

P HEATHER ROBEY

Robey was the most dominant pitcher in Southeast Missouri this spring, finishing the season with a record of 13-0. In 71 innings of work, the southpaw allowed just two earned runs and 11 walks with 165 strikeouts, for an astounding 2.3 K's per inning. Her ERA was a microscopic 0.25. She was also solid at the plate, batting .500 with one home run, 17 RBIs, eight steals and scored 28 runs. For the first time, our choice for Player of the Year was an easy one.

P SARAH M. COOK

The Lady Bobcats didn't face much competition this spring, but when they did, they threw Sarah M. Cook. The multi-sport standout delivered, going 5-1 with a 0.82 ERA. In 17 innings, she allowed three hits and eight walks with 15 strikeouts. At the plate, she batted .533 with three triples, three doubles and 10 RBIs.

P MEGHAN MASSEY

Massey capped off her solid high school career with an outstanding spring. She finished with a record of 7-3, beating the likes of Delta and Chaffee. She also took NMCC to the wire in a head-to-head battle against Heather Robey. In 53 innings, Massey recorded 50 strikeouts. Offensively, she batted .475 with five triples and four doubles.

COACH STEVE ROGERS

Under Rogers, New Madrid County Central kept its impressive winning streak alive, posting its second straight undefeated season. The Lady Eagles went 14-0 this spring, outscoring the competition 157 to 7. NMCC has now won 50 straight. Rogers' career record at the school is 150-32.